What in the World is Going On?!

The devastation from the recent events in Japan is overwhelming.  Bad news seems to ride on the wave of bad news.  The 9.0 earthquake was horrific enough.  Then the tsunami hit.  Now the trifecta looms with the threat of a growing nuclear disaster not seen since Chernobyl and, well, Japan.  

The extreme cold and snow in Japan is almost forgotten by the world in light of the battle against nuclear fallout, but it is not lost on the freezing survivors.

The death toll continues to climb (as of this moment, predictions are that it will end up over 10,000 caused by the earthquake and tsunami).  Displaced, confused, frightened, cold, hungry and thirsty describe the sudden and unwanted current existence for many people from all walks of life.  Over 400,000 are homeless.  Others in more “secure” locations are understandably on edge.  Reports are that as many as 1.6 million homes are now without running water. 

Imagine if everyone who now lives in Yorba Linda, Placentia, Brea, Fullerton, and Orange was suddenly homeless.  That is what is going on in Japan today. 

As you might hope, a few encouraging stories have emerged from the rubble.  An infant found miraculously alive several days after being washed away from its parents.  A grandmother found alive in her home.  A man found alive miles out at sea floating on the roof of his former house.  These stories bring intermittent hope to rescue workers and others.  But the weight of ongoing devastation and fear continues.

Japan is a country in crisis.  We are a world in crisis... in more than one location and more than one pressing topic.  I have heard several people refer to the Last Days and the signs of the end times.  Yes, supposedly the Mayans thought it would come in 2012 (I saw the movie).  We do know that Jesus is coming again and said there would be times like this before His return.  It is on people’s minds.

And yet here I sit overlooking a beautiful, sunny Southern California day.  I’m looking forward to lunch with my wife, a basketball awards banquet tonight, Missions Conference this weekend, and March Madness is in full swing.  What could be better?  To say it’s easy to forget about what is going on in other places is an understatement.

How does all of this fit together?!  Talk about a compartmentalized life!

God wants us to see the big picture.  Did you know that in Japan, estimates are that only 1% of the people are Christians?  There is a physical crisis going on... absolutely.  But as followers of Christ we need to also see that thousands of people are likely to have gone to an eternity in hell without Christ! 

We need to proclaim God’s love to a world that needs it – “until the whole world hears” – in places like Japan, Rwanda, Cambodia, and Yorba Linda.  People need the Lord, and one of the bridges we can build is to help meet physical needs in the name of Christ. 

This weekend in our worship services, we will make commitments to give to missions for the coming year.  Please pray about that with me.  I’m praying for more participants than a year ago.  In addition, we will make available a special “Japan Relief” fund – which we will give to support two solid Christian organizations working there  (you can give directly to them online: World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse). 

God is at work in the world, even when it doesn’t look like it.  He wants us to SHARE Him!  Let’s pray, give, go, and trust Him!